Abu Dhabi, May 27 (BNA): Visitors to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair will have the opportunity to view a valuable collection of rare books and manuscripts dating back to ancient times.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM), Christophe Overmann from the French Library Claverell said that the library is participating for the second time in the exhibition to display old and rare books.
He added that the library is displaying this year a book containing drawings of rare birds dating back to 1550, at a value of 11 million dirhams.
Daniel Crouch, of Daniel Crouch Rare Books, said the fair is a valuable opportunity to meet the region’s leading institutions and book collectors. He added that this is the third time they have participated in the exhibition, as their exhibits include 53 pieces that include a globe worth 9.5 million dirhams, created by Vincenzo Coronelli in 1688, in addition to a graphic case worth 500,000 dirhams from Queen Victoria’s royal yacht. Victoria and Albert II, with diagrams including pictures of the port of Abu Dhabi in 1888.
Artur Sobolevsky, of Dom Emisyjny Manuscriptum, Poland, said his company is offering a rare book signed by Leonardo de Vinci, currently owned by Bill Gates, valued at US$500 million.
He added that his company, which was keen to participate in this year’s exhibition, had prepared 200 copies of rare manuscripts, each valued at 45,000 dirhams.
They are taking part in the event for the second time, showcasing rare books dating back to the period from 1508 to 1931, Olivier Pingel of Le Prince art consultancy in Sharjah said.
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